Aldershot’s Vine Centre continues its vital programme of support for most vulnerable, with help from National Lottery grant

A charity in Aldershot supporting the vulnerable and most socially isolated members of the local community is using a £10,000 National Lottery grant to ensure those who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic are connected and looked after.

The dedicated team at The Vine Centre on Station Road, which was set-up in 1987 as a soup kitchen, is working tirelessly to continue its support, with a range of adapted services specifically designed to reach vulnerable people, while adhering to the current Government safety guidelines. The project offers help to people across the community, from those who are unemployed or experiencing housing difficulties, to older people living alone.

One vital service on offer from The Vine Centre is the 'vineline', a telephone support line for vulnerable members of the community who are isolated, worried or just need someone to talk to. Supported by an incredible team of volunteers, the vineline provides friendly, non-judgemental advice, reassurance or referral to their specialist support workers for complex issues such as mental health problems and addiction.

The Vine Centre is also running an essentials delivery service called Vine Dining Deliveries. Ranging from basic food provisions and toiletries to home-cooked frozen meals, the service aims to meet the needs of people in self-isolation, on a low-income or who have no other support network. The frozen meals are prepared and cooked at The Vine’s on-site kitchen and delivered out to the community to be cooked at home.

To give people every chance of remaining in employment, the charity is also running an online and phone-based version of its Skills Café. This is helping local people to find fast-fill jobs needed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic – such as roles in supermarket retail, care work and delivery and warehouse roles. Online training links and creative courses are also available for those who can access the internet.

Emma Boast, from The Vine Centre, said: “The National Lottery funding has helped us to continue to support our existing members - as well as reach new people. More individuals are now realising that 'hard times' can happen to anyone and many are just one paycheque away from poverty.

“Through this funding we have been able to increase and improve our services and we have been able to bring an isolated community together. Our services give people a sense of normality and belonging, as well as keeping them safe from making unnecessary journeys - we are getting them food, essential products and providing activities to help their mental health and wellbeing.”

The Vine Centre is one of two community groups in the town to receive a share of almost £20,000 last month from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. This funding, raised by National Lottery players, is part of the comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million, recently unveiled by National Lottery distributors as a whole, going to charities and organisations supporting communities, the arts, heritage, education, environment and sports.

Helen Bushell, Head of Funding for the South and East of England at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “It has been heartening to see how communities in the South East have been responding to the crisis. The Vine Centre in Aldershot is just one of the many projects, from grassroots groups to larger charities, working tirelessly to support their community through these extremely difficult times.

“National Lottery players can be proud that the money they’ve raised is making a real difference at a time when it is most needed. We will carry on getting vital funding out to charities and voluntary sector organisations, so they can step up to overcome obstacles caused by the pandemic and help their community to rebuild and recover in the future.”

The COVID-19 crisis has sparked an influx of groups seeking funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support their communities through these times. Overall, compared to the same time last year*, requests for funding have increased by 55%, while visits to the funder’s website have shot up by 47%. The most apparent spike in applications has been for smaller grants, with requests for funding up to £10,000 increasing by 51% year-on-year.

Going forward, The National Lottery Community Fund will continue to prioritise getting funding to groups best placed to support their communities at this vital time and also towards those seeking to rebuild as the crisis abates.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Last year it awarded £1.4 million a day on average to projects that help people and communities thrive.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk